16:05 Newbury

Saturday 22 September 2018

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Racegoers Club 50th Anniversary EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10) (Str) (Div 2)

Off time: 16:08 | Winning time: 1m 29.25s

(4)

Ballylemon¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes

5/2

Champs Elysees colt ran an excellent race on debut when third in a hot Ascot maiden won by a 2.6m gns colt with classic potential. Stayed on right to the line there and will only improve for the experience so big player here.

Form: 3

(5)

Casting

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Fran Berry| T: R Hannon

25/1

£160,000 yearling by Society Rock is half-brother to four sprint winners, two as two-year-olds. Trainer does well with two-year-olds although most need their first race. Yard also run Hermocrates so market comparison worthwhile.

Form:

(3)

Coup De Gold^h1²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: M Harley| T: W J Haggas

3/1

€155,000 son of Maxios caught the eye on debut at Sandown (7f) when he clipped heels and almost came down 2f out before finishing really well. Sure to improve and rated a leading contender here.

Form: 5

(2)

Eligible

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: G Mosse| T: C G Cox

12/1

130,000gns yearling by super-sire Dark Angel out of an ordinary half-sister to Group One winner Hibaayeb. Trainer three from 28 with two-year-old debutants so best watched barring market support.

Form:

(14)

Grandad's Legacy⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: A Stronge

50/1

Harbour Watch colt made the running until 2f out on debut at Salisbury (1m) before fading quite badly into 11th of 13. Drop in trip may suit but big step up needed here.

Form: 0

(7)

King Ottokar

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: C Fellowes

9/2

€280,000 yearling by Derby winner Motivator is half-brother to three winners including Listed placed 1m2f scorer Tresorerie. Trainer one from 30 with juveniles but will have few as well bred as this.

Form:

(12)

Mudeer

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: B J Meehan

25/1

Kendargent colt cost €52,000 as a foal but went unsold at auction earlier this year. Full-brother to a French 1m Listed winner but trainer has a low strike rate with two-year-olds so may need time.

Form:

(10)

Raise You

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding

14/1

Second foal out of a 1m4f winner by top sire Lope De Vega. Stamina the feature of his pedigree so may need time but trainer does have a few debut successes so market support significant.

Form:

(9)

Run After Genesis

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Kieren Fox| T: B R Johnson

80/1

15,000gns yearling by Archipenko is half-brother to a 1m3f winner out of an Italian mare successful at up to 1m2f so everything points to further next year being his best time.

Form:

(13)

Shoot For Gold

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: David Egan| T: S bin Suroor

7/1

Sea The Stars newcomer cost 260,000gns as a yearling. 1m2f winning dam a half-sister to a US Grade One 1m4f winner. Likely to excel over further but trainer has a 16 per cent strike rate with two-year-old newcomers so respected here.

Form:

(8)

Solid Stone

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute

10/1

Son of top class Shamardal cost 360,000gns as a yearling and is a half-brother to four winners including a Listed winner over 1m1f-1m4f and a Ribblesdale (1m4f Group Two) second. Beautifully bred and top connections so respected on debut.

Form:

(1)

Spencers Son

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Bentley| T: R Spencer

50/1

Cheap purchase by Arcano is half-brother to an Italian winner over 1m2f out of a French 1m1f winner at an ordinary level. Other newcomers appeal as more likely on pedigree.

Form:

(15)

Strindberg

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: M Dwyer| T: M P Tregoning

50/1

35,000gns son of Sea The Moon is half-brother to 10 winners including a Group Three winner and three Listed scorers. Trainer's record with two-year-olds very poor so one for next year over further.

Form:

Non-Runners

(11)

Escape The Rain

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: C Hills J: Callum Shepherd

(6)

Hermocrates

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: R Hannon J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Ballylemon (5/2), Coup De Gold (3/1), King Ottokar (9/2), Shoot For Gold (7/1), Solid Stone (10/1), Hermocrates (10/1), Eligible (12/1), Raise You (14/1), Escape The Rain (14/1), Mudeer (25/1), Casting (25/1), Spencers Son (50/1), Strindberg (50/1), Grandad's Legacy (50/1), Run After Genesis (80/1)

BALLYLEMON wasn't beaten far by a colt of serious potential in a hot Ascot maiden on debut and barring meeting one of similar ability today he should take a lot of beating for a yard doing really well with two-year-olds. Coup De Gold is a big danger after an eye-catching debut for the powerful William Haggas yard where he clipped heels but recovered and ran on strongly. There are numerous newcomers from top yards with fine pedigrees and none make more appeal than Solid Stone who is from a classy middle distance family.